Changing grilles

14889 Views 21 Replies 7 Participants Last post by ocool, Aug 16, 2006

boatman

Discussion Starter · Mar 12, 2006

I have just received my new grille for my 2004 XLR. I attempted the swap myself. Has anyone figured out how to get the old grille loose from the bottom tabs without breaking anything. I hate to take it all the way back to the dealer for what appears to be a pretty simple task. I notice that Harry had the same problem last month but I did not see any solution.

1 - 20 of 22 Posts

harrysxlr

· #2 · Mar 12, 2006

boatman said:
I have just received my new grille for my 2004 XLR. I attempted the swap myself. Has anyone figured out how to get the old grille loose from the bottom tabs without breaking anything. I hate to take it all the way back to the dealer for what appears to be a pretty simple task. I notice that Harry had the same problem last month but I did not see any solution.

You`re right, Ive had this problem and if you don`t want to break the tabs off you`ll have to take the front bumper away. But even than it`s hard to get this tabs out!
I decided to break them and the installation was not difficult at all.

So you have two choices, break em or remove the bumper.

Harry

motorboat

· #3 · Mar 12, 2006

Harry,

After you break them off what holds the bottom of the grill in?
Does the new grill NOT have tabs on it?

Blaise

G

· #4 · Mar 12, 2006

Blaise,
Harrys, probably in bed by now, so if your in a hurry, look at all posts by Harrysxlr and you will find that answer.I have to go out or I would look it up for you.
Bob

motorboat said:
Harry,

After you break them off what holds the bottom of the grill in?
Does the new grill NOT have tabs on it?

Blaise

boatman

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 12, 2006

The new grille does have tabs on it. The problem is where the grille tabs fit into slots at the top of the bumper cover. They "lock" in place in the slots in the bumper cover. It is not at all apparent how to "unlock" them from the bumper cover to remove the bottom of the grille. The top of the grille is no problem.

G

· #6 · Mar 13, 2006

This may or may not help

Blaise,
Here's a quote from Harry's post after he put his grille in.
From Harry's post.
For my son and me it took almost 5 hours so I would say put it in a body-shop.
These clamps (tabs) on the bottom of the grille you cannot get out of the slots so after about 2 hours on trying to get it out I drove to a near by body shop and they told me we have two ways to get the grille out:
1. if we dont want to brake the grille, we have to take off the front bumper. which takes about 1 hour
2. it takes about 5 minutes to brake off each tab but the grille will not not usable anymore - so I decided # 2 and the grille was out.
So I went home where my son was waiting and we had about another 2 hours of work till it was copletely mounted.
The big problem is to remove the stock grille!!!!!

Some others have put that grille in and may join in the conversation and help you out.
Bob

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harrysxlr

· #7 · Mar 13, 2006

motorboat said:
Harry,

After you break them off what holds the bottom of the grill in?
Does the new grill NOT have tabs on it?

Blaise

Hi Blaise,
the new grille got tabs what fit the slots of the bumper but on mine the tabs had to be a little adjusted what I did by hand.
If you removed the stock grille it takes you about two hours till all is finished.
The wreath and crest from stock grille have to be taken off and put it on the plate of the new grille, you need some Mold Repair Tape in black to do this.

Any other questions, just ask

Harry

johnsovl

· #8 · Mar 19, 2006

Install E-G Mesh grill

Hello to All,
I had my local body shop do the grill install after reading Harry's problems. They painted behind the grill with flat black paint and only charged 1.5 hr. time Also on the old grill the tabs are still there. The body shop Tech that did the work said I did the right thing because he had problems with the tabs and he has a special tool to pop them up. Oh. by the way the grill is quality item and REALLY looks nice.
:cool Tan Man at http://www.lewiestanning.com

harrysxlr

· #9 · Mar 19, 2006 (Edited)

johnsovl said:
Hello to All,
I had my local body shop do the grill install after reading Harry's problems. They painted behind the grill with flat black paint and only charged 1.5 hr. time Also on the old grill the tabs are still there. The body shop Tech that did the work said I did the right thing because he had problems with the tabs and he has a special tool to pop them up. Oh. by the way the grill is quality item and REALLY looks nice.
:cool Tan Man at http://www.lewiestanning.com

Hi John, I wished we`ve had this special tool for the tabs here!
I did`nt had to paint anything behind the grille, all the plastics behind are black and on bright daylight all behind my grille looks black.
Hope you can post a pic of yours, would be nice! How do you like this grille, I love the look with the mesh!

Harry

motorboat

· #10 · Aug 9, 2006

Grill Change

I changed out my grill last night with the Chrome one that they use on the Star Black XLR. :thumbs
I looks like the stock grill only its Chrome where the original one has Silver paint.
I had a paint shop paint the bottom part Crimson Pearl to match my car instead of the black that came on it.

I though it would take me over two hours to do the job after reading all these posts :cry :cry but it only took about 30 min.

I DID NOT have to remove the bumper.

What you will need is a body tool "$5.00" that looks like a very stiff putty knife with a "V" cut in the end of it.

To do the job:
You will need to remove the 6 plastic plugs on the top plastic cover over the grill that is under the hood.
Then remove the 4 Star headed bolts on top of the grill. The top of the grill is now very loose.
Now starting at one side of the grill use your body tool and slip it in under your old grill but on top of your bumper and push down at the location of each lock tabs. With the top of the grill loose you can look down and see where each of them are. They will unlock one at a time and with a little pull on the side of the grill out it comes one tab at a time.

To install the NEW one just line up the bottom taps in the slots in the bumper and push it in and they will lock in place. Put the 4 star bolts in next. Put on the top plastic panel that covers the top of the grill and push in the 6 plastic plugs.

All done in 30 min or less.

arty

One note:
I would buy replacement plastic plugs "6" because these are really a one time use plug. I am going to get some today. They will hold the plastic top in place a little bit better.

Motorboat

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1_XLR

· #11 · Aug 9, 2006

sounds great .....we need some pics!:thumbs

are your wheels chrome or polished?

how well did the paint match up?....it's not an easy color to match
and I want to do some similar trim work on my V

G

· #12 · Aug 9, 2006

Great share, bet the guys putting in that grill will kiss you if they catch you.

motorboat

· #13 · Aug 9, 2006

1_XLR
I did not take any photos as I was replacing it. So I can't show you each step. Sorry.. But I can take some of the finished product if you want.

I got a "New" set of stock factory Chrome wheels in the box off eBay for $1699.00. They came with gold Cadillac centers. I think they look great.:thumbs

The paint shop I used did a great job matching the paint. The car is in my garage all the time so the paint has not faded to much so that helped.

Standby
You could catch me in your "V" I am sure but then where would be a fight for the kiss. Now if one of the ladies is behind me I just might slow down. That is till my wife found out.:crazy

Motorboat

G

· #14 · Aug 9, 2006

As you know, I have that grill in my V, no kisses here

motorboat

· #15 · Aug 9, 2006

Standby

I may have miss led you. :rolleyes
Your grill is honey comb and chromed on your V but the one I installed looks just like the stock ones on the NON V's but it is Chromed not painted silver.

jackewells

· #16 · Aug 9, 2006

:nono This grille interests me......Can you give a part number and maybe the cost?

G

· #17 · Aug 10, 2006

I probably wasn't paying attention to details.
Thanks

motorboat

· #18 · Aug 10, 2006

jackewells,
Morning, I have sent a personal email on this.
Blaise

jackewells

· #19 · Aug 11, 2006

Thank you Blaise.....Jack:yesnod

ocool

· #20 · Aug 16, 2006

V Grill

I spoke with my dealer and we were able to come to an agreement of $600 to replace the 06 stock grill with the V- mesh grill. this included labor. It only took about 2 hours and they didn"t harm the orig. grill so it could be reinstalled at a later date if so needed. It sure changed the look of the car and it gets lots of admirers. I will tell you that they started at a much higher price but it was nogociable and I feel I did well. Also, if anything broke or was damaged, I felt good about having the dealer do it, so it would be his problem. :cheers

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